A sensible strategy

Countries across the globe are trying to work out how to emerge from lockdown where it has been imposed. Some have seen life return to normal; others on the Continent are well ahead of the UK in restoring social interaction close to where it was. It is noticeable that there is not the same fear of an increase in the virus as there appears to be here. Their science seems to be different to ours or their politicians draw different conclusions from the advice they receive.

A rise in infections is bad only insofar as it risks a big spike in fatalities or serious illness. Increasingly, countries with a more relaxed approach are reporting more infections but fewer deaths or emergency cases because they protect those most likely to die if they catch Covid.

The lessons being drawn overseas are salutary. In Florida, the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases has risen to more than 100,000, not least because as more tests are conducted, more positives are found.

But the number of deaths per day is down to 12, with just 82 people in hospital in a state with a population of 22 million, many of whom are older and retired. Why? Because the state has protected the vulnerable and lets everyone else behave normally, even if it means them catching the virus since for most it is a mild illness. The upshot has been a lot of cases but few deaths and little pressure on the health system.

In Portugal, a localised approach is followed, with action taken where there are flare-ups but not extended further. As more is known about how the virus acts, countries are adapting their strategies accordingly and letting the bulk of the populace go about its business. We should do the same.